Tools and Materials Needed
Before you learn how to get paint off hardwood floors, you will need the following tools and materials:
Tools and Materials
Tools
- White cloth
- Putty Knife
- SandPaper 120
- Sandpaper Grit 220
- Sand Paper (150 Grit)
- Soft Brush
- Steel Wool
- Sandpaper 400 grit
- Sandpaper 600 Grit
Safety glasses
Chemical-resistant gloves
Respirator
Materials
- Latex Paint Remover
- Stain Remover
- Paint Thinner
- Mineral Spirits
- Acetone
Chemical Paint Stripper
- Soapy Water
Types of Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors can be made from various wood species. Some of the most frequently used hardwoods include oak hardwood floors, maple hardwood floors, cherry hardwood floors, walnut hardwood floors and hickory hardwood floors. Generally, the softer the wood, the easier it is to strip paint from the surface. However, paint can be cleared from all types of hardwood flooring using different processes. Let’s learn about the best way to get paint off of hardwood floors.
Always ensure there is good ventilation when using paint and paint-removing chemicals. Follow all safety measures, such as wearing safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves and respiratory protection.
How To Remove Latex Paint from Hardwood?
Latex paints are water-based and are used for most interior wall paints. Raw hardwood floors are more receptive and absorbent, which means they’re easily get stained with latex paint. If some latex paint spills on the floor, try to remove paint from the hardwood floor as soon as possible. The steps that you need to follow to remove latex paint include:
Refer to the product manual and follow all the safety instructions included.
How to Remove Oil-Based Paint from Hardwood
It is a bit more challenging to remove oil-based paint than it is to remove latex paint, as wood absorbs oil rapidly. However, it can still be removed if done quickly. The steps that you need to follow to remove oil-based paints are:
Removing Other Types of Paints
Some other types of paint can stain your hardwood floors as well. However, there are methods to remove them too. For other types of paints, follow these steps:
Chalky Paint
It is soft and ranges from quite fine and grainy to mealy and dusty. To remove it from hardwood surfaces, you can use steel wool or fine sandpaper 400-grit or sandpaper 600-grit. Use any of these to sand the floor till the surface is smooth again.
Glitter or Textured Paint
Now, soak a clean cloth in acetone and rub the paint with it. Doing so will soften the paint and make it easier to remove paint. Then, scrape it using a putty knife. Sand the surface softly to remove any leftover paint.
Enamel, Epoxy or Shellac
When these paints dry, they form an extra-hard layer. To remove this paint, use a chemical paint stripper that dissolves the paint. Then, scrape using a putty knife and sand the surface softly to remove any leftover paint.
Best Practices to Follow
Keep the following tips in mind when you clean paint off hardwood floors:
- Sand carefully: When using sandpaper or steel wool on the floor, ensure that you apply enough pressure only to smoothen the surface. Applying too much pressure can strip off the wood stain or the finish.
- Read the product labels: Most cleaning products in the market have warnings regarding the type of wood they can be used on. So always check which product to use with which type of hardwood floor.
- Act fast: Remove the paint as soon as you spot it to avoid it seeping into the floor.
- Test the product initially: It is wise to test the products first in areas that are not easily noticeable before using them.
You now know how to get paint off hardwood. After spending some time and energy, you can successfully remove all the paint stains from your hardwood flooring.